A collection of digital tools you and students can use. Search by the five areas in the above image. Check it out! From the EdTech Center @ World Education.

1. How to show Zoom windows during screen share so students can see the control menus - how great is that?
2. Start slowly with just the tools needed for essential communication, such as muting/unmuting, video on/off, and chatting. Ideally, meet individually with each student and a family member they designate as their personal tech support. Practice those tools together. This way, the family member knows exactly what the student needs. Also, model how the family member can teach the student, instead of just doing it for them.
3. The teacher has students practice each tool at the beginning of each class session.
4. Have a volunteer or two attend each session to help students who get lost so that the rest of the class can continue with the teacher. Have the volunteer and student(s) be put in a breakout room. 

• PCs for People  
• Tech Soup   
• Also many cellphones have settings to make them hotspots. (This can drain the battery, so plugging in is best.)
  
  Also, some students are going to their programs and libraries and connecting to their hotspots. While the buildings are closed, they do this from their cars. 

-Loan devices. Click above for an example contract.

-Buy devices in bulk. Leah recommends Newegg.

- It helps to catalogue the devices so they can be kept track of easily.

- Devices may need to be 'restored' when returned, so setting up a restore point previously is helpful. (Click for an example for a Windows laptop/PC - see 'Restore from a system restore point.')

- There are services that can be purchased that track the location of devices (click for one I found randomly - I have no experience with them), but colleagues and I have found that loaning to students who are known to be responsible works out fine 99% of the time. 

- Have an agreement form for students. For an example, see Northwest Michigan Works! Learning Lab Student Hot Spot/Chromebook Use Agreement.

- Internet Essentials

- NDIA

- Mobile Beacon

- Everyoneon.org

- National Digital Inclusion Alliance

April 2024: Last month households will receive full ACP benefits

May 2024: ACP households may receive a partial ACP discount from their internet company.

After May 2024: If Congress does not provide additional funding, the ACP will run out of funding and ACP households will no longer receive the ACP benefit.

Other options: For other options for these and other students, see the below post.

AI For Education - EdTech Center @ World Education

See especially the following recorded 30-minute webinars:

EdTech Bytes: Generative AI “Zero to Hero” - EdTech Center @ World Education - The first 30 min. session in this four part series provides an overview on AI technologies and the emergence of Generative AI, and why it matters for educators. The webinar also covers ChatGPT’s role as a catalyst in raising awareness and drawing attention to artificial intelligence.

EdTech Bytes Generative AI: “Power of Open” - EdTech Center @ World Education - During the second webinar, we looked at the meaning of “open” and “ownership” while reflecting on the ways technology has and continues to shape our ability to create and share!

EdTech Bytes Generative AI: “Making it Work” - EdTech Center @ World Education - The third webinar in this series features educators and employers that are using generative AI tools in their workflow, their insights, and lessons learned.

Open Prompt Book - A group of educators experimented with generative AI-enabled tools like chatbots and image generators to learn and explore together. Their work and insights have been compiled in the Open Prompt Book from CampGPT. Throughout this prompt book, you’ll learn more about generative AI, what educators use it for, and key tips and tricks. The “Try It Out” links enable you to try the prompts in your own account (links for ChatGPT and Bard are provided).

https://www.digitallearn.org/courses/microsoft-word

Main page: https://www.digitallearn.org/

Learn My Way

I just want to say that I LOVE this site! Working With Office Programs is a great general introduction to the functions and uses of office software in general. No specific focus on Word but addresses key features. Interactive. Requires a free account to access. 

https://learnmyway.com/explore-the-subjects/working-with-office-programs

Main page: https://learnmyway.com/

Some programs like GCFGlobal:

https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/word/getting-started-with-word/1/#

Cómo Llenar Una Solicitud de Empleo - video

How to Write a Professional Email - video

Do you know of more? Please add them in a comment below!

- Visual impairments may have difficulties (or be unable to) see what's on their screen.

- Physical impairments that make navigating a challenge or impossibility.

- Very basic reading skills or dyslexia but who understand spoken language.

PC Mag's article provides information on applications for Windows, MacOS, Microsoft Office, Android and Apple mobile devices.